Michael Duffy is keen to complete an international transfer in order to make it onto Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad in November.
O’Neill has already spoken to Duffy, who has been capped by Northern Ireland at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels, and told him that he intends to have him in a squad as soon as possible.
The 24-year-old Dundalk attacker is in the process of an international transfer, meaning he couldn’t make it for the Nations League games against Denmark and Wales in September.
However, Ireland play Northern Ireland and Denmark in November – and those dates could see the former Derry City winger capped.
“He (O’Neill) said to me that he wants me to join up with the team,” Duffy said.
“He’s been watching me and been happy with the way I’ve been playing. Hopefully it does come through.
“Once I’d spoken to Martin, I definitely have my heart set on the Republic of Ireland.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a boy and getting a phone call from him to say he was interested in taking me in the squad, I couldn’t believe it, it was a great achievement for me for that to happen.”
Duffy has had a superb season with Premier Division leaders Dundalk and O’Neill has already spoken publicly of his admiration for the ex-Derry, Foyle Harps, Kildrum Tigers and Celtic attacker.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him,” said O’Neill last week.
“I think he’s an exceptionally talented player. It didn’t happen for him at Celtic. He wouldn’t be the first young player to have gone over there and not come through.
“He definitely has the ability to go past players, it’s nice to see. I’ve seen him on both types of surfaces – on what I would consider the normal pitches and I’ve seen him play at Dundalk on the artificial surface.
“He’s a definite talent, there’s no question about that.”
Sports writer from St Johnston, now based in Letterkenny, with ten years’ experience covering sport in Donegal. Was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.